chiyogami (Paper)

Papermaking originated on the Asian mainland and spread to Japan by around the 6th or 7th century. For centuries Japan has produced the greatest quantity and variety of handmade paper or washi (和紙). Traditionally, papermaking was a family or community enterprise which thrived in mountain farming communities where cold, pure water and wild bast fibre shrubs, such as mulberry, were plentiful. Washi is an important cultural symbol, as well as a significant aspect of both Shinto and Buddhist rites and customs. Chiyogami (千代紙) was originally produced as woodblock prints, and was likely first made in Kyoto. It was used for writing or poetry paper, for lining incense boxes, or for wrapping cosmetics. It is presently also used for Anesama (姉様) dolls, toys, artificial flowers and greeting cards. Although formerly an expensive luxury item used only by high-ranking individuals, chiyogami later became less expensive, and a popular gift for young women.

Part of Vol. V (chiyogami-katazomegami); sample nos. 814-815; from Tesukiwashi Taikan (手漉和紙大鑑) published in Tokyo in 1973–1974, which features a collection of over 900 handmade papers. It was produced as a project to commemorate the centennial of Mainchi Newspapers and to preserve Japanese handmade paper. A collection on this scale had not been made before. This collection consists of 5 boxes of mounted and labelled samples with an explanatory book in 4 of the boxes. The text is in Japanese and with less detail, in English. Compiled and edited by a special editorial staff of scholars. Published by the Mainchi Newspapers, Tokyo, Japan.

Chiyogami (千代紙) made in Tokyo is called Edo chiyogami (江戸千代紙) and chiyogami made in Kyoto is known as Kyō chiyogami (京千代紙). This collection features Edo chiyogami by Hirose Tatsugorō IV (広瀬辰五郎四代目), the fourth generation of Isetatsu (いせ辰), a shop established in 1864 in Tokyo (formally known as Edo 江戸), which specializes in Edo chiyogami and Omocha-e (おもちゃ絵/玩具絵) (“play prints”).

The patterns are called Tatsuta-gawa (立田川) and Yūzakura (夕ざくら). Sample 814 depicts maple leaves floating on the Tatsuta-Gawa in Nara Prefecture; the waves (swirls) are imitations of Ogata Korin's (1658-1716) famous waves. Sample 815 shows cherry blossoms.

Washi (和紙) sample. Pigment is applied to a cherry wood block, then the paper is applied and rubbed using a baren (a disk-like hand tool used to burnish the back of a sheet of paper in order to lift the ink from the block).

Washi samples mounted horizontally on white, labelled and folded paper with 3-pointed leaf above scrolled 'm' watermark. 2 rectangular, multi-colour woodblock print samples. Top sample has red, white and blue/green maple leaves with blue swirls on a pink ground. Outlined on right and bottom with a black line next to white border, wider on right. Bottom sample has continuous clusters of 5 petalled white with pink, yellow and red blossoms, on a blue ground. The flower centres and petals are detailed in black. Edges in black next to right and bottom borders; border wider to right and bottom borders; border wider to right. Mounting paper folds from right over part of samples.